Sketches of the campaign in northern Mexico : in eighteen hundred forty-six and seven / by an officer of the First Regiment of Ohio volunteers.

AMPUDIA PROPOSES TO CAPITULATE. 203
made early on the first day of the battle had we possessed
guns of sufficient weight to reach the city firom any point
without the enemy's lines.
Thursday morning, September 24th, we were early on foot,
and waited but for the dawn to renew the assault. About 3
o'clock, A. M., a bugle sounded the parley in front of the
position held by our brigade, and soon afterward a small
party under cover of a flag of truce was discerned advancing
down the street. It proved to be Colonel Morino, of General
Almpudia's stafl; whose sad countenance at once explained to
all the object of his mission. He bore from his commandinggeneral to General Taylor a proposition to surrender the
town, which, together with Taylor's reply, is subjoined.X
* Copies of the notes of Generals Ampudia and Taylor preliminary to the capitulation of Monterey.
" ead- Qaroteirs, 1M1onterey,
" Septemnbe? 23, 1846; 9 o'clock at night.
"Ge eral: As I have made all the defense of which I believe this city capable,
I have fulfilled my obligation, and done all required by that military honor which,
to a certain degree, is common to all the armies of the civilized world, and as a
continuation of the defense would only bring upon the population distresses to
which they have already been sufficiently subjected by the evils consequent upon
war, and believing that the American government will appreciate these sentiments,
I propose to your Excellency to evacuate the city and citadel, taking with me the
personnel and material of war which is left, and under the assurance that no prosecution shall be undertaken against the citizens who have taken part in the defense.
Be pleased to accept the assurance of' my most distinguished consideration.
"PEDRO DE AMPUDIA.
"Senor Don Z. TAYLOR, General-in-chief of the American Army."
" ead- Quarters, Camp before llonterey,
" Septembeir 24, 1846; 7 o'clock, A. 31.'" Sir: Your communication bearing date at 9 o'clock, P. M., on the 23d, has just
been received by the hands of Colonel Morino. In answer to your proposition to
evacuate the city and fort with all the personnel and material of war, I have to
state that my duty compels me to to decline acceding to it. A complete surrender
of the town and garrison, the latter as prisoners of' war, is now demanded. But
such surrender will be upon terms, and the gallant defense of the place, creditable